Date: 23/03/2007

Source: KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government

Title: Ndebele: Signing of Memorandum of Understanding with Premier of Queensland Australia P Beattie

Remarks by the Honourable Premier Mr Sibusiso Ndebele at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal and Premier of Queensland (Australia), Hilton Hotel, Durban

Honourable Premier of Queensland: Mr Peter Beattie,
High Commissioner of Australia: Mr Phillip Green,
Members of the Executive Council,
Mayor of the Ethekwini Municipality: Mr O Mlaba,
Members of the Provincial and Local Government,
Distinguished guests

Australia has over the years maintained very strong relations with South Africa. Some of the significant interactions between the two countries include the Australia-South Africa partnership, a Local Government Capacitation Programme which covered the period 2001 to 2004.

We are certain that in Queensland we have made the best choice in partnership, this being one of the strongest regions in Australia.

We know that Mr Premier Beattie, you are highly regarded not only in Queensland but also in your country. You are one of the most dynamic and progressive Premiers in Australia. To this extent we consider an MOU with Queensland to be appropriate for our country and potentially beneficial to KwaZulu-Natal as a developmental province.

The development of strong relations is based on the close similarities that exist between the two regions. Both our regions have a dominant agricultural sector and enjoy similar climates and crop production, such as sugar cane. Queensland also enjoys the recognition of having turned a rural province into one of the strongest States in Australia today. This was done whilst retaining its distinctive rural flavour.

Both regions boast a coastal belt. In Australia this is called the 'Gold Coast.' It is characterised by an outdoor lifestyle and a local economy focused on tourism. Both our regions feature a sizeable mining sector as well as a drive to diversify the economy and create employment.

Already strong relations exist between the two capital cities of Brisbane and eThekwini, which provides the opportunity of maximising Provincial-Local Government interests in the State of Queensland.

Indeed, ours is a province on the move. KwaZulu-Natal is definitely becoming a major tourist destination of the country. We emphasise this particular area, because tourism is one of the fastest growing economic sectors the world over. According to statistics provided by the Tourism Authority of KwaZulu-Natal for the year 2005, the province received a total of 11,6 million domestic visitors and 1,6 million international visitors. This translated into a value of R20,7 billion to the provincial economy.

Our tourism industry retained its number one status as South Africa's leading domestic tourism destination in 2005 and surpassed the Western Cape in terms of overall foreign tourism arrivals. These tourists visit every part of our province. Mr Premier we will be delighted to increase our co-operation in this sector.

Last month we staged the A1 Grand Prix. We are becoming the country's Home of Sport. If it is on horseback, we have the Durban July. If it is in water, we give you the Duzi Marathon. If it is on the road, we have the Comrades Marathon. If it is sport, we will provide it. Only the other day, we officially opened the R460 million events arena at the now world-renowned Durban International Convention Centre.

Our province is blessed with good rainfall which makes the agricultural sector an obvious choice for investment. Our province also boasts the largest and busiest ports in Africa - Durban Harbour and Richards Bay.

More to this, our province boasts a rich cultural diversity and abundant wildlife. So the potential in all sectors of the economy remains unlimited.

Our road and rail infrastructure is among the best in the country and the continent. Our finance and information technology sectors are relatively well developed, able to stand the test of international standards.

The Memorandum of Understanding just signed therefore provides for co-operation in the following areas: agriculture, climate change and sustainable water management, business, trade and industry, arts, culture and tourism, sport and local government.

Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, we think there will be a need for a technical follow-up. This will ensure the projects which we are seeking to co-operate in are followed up and implemented. We will start with a few projects, and as we gain confidence we will move on to other areas as our relationship develops.

On behalf of the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Government, Mr Premier, I would like to thank you and your delegation for this occasion that further cements our relationship and co-operation in a number of fields already outlined. We can only hope that this historic step we have taken will be mutually beneficial and bear more fruit for generations to come.

I thank you.

Issued by: Office of the Premier, KwaZulu-Natal Government
23 March 2007